Copying Relative Predecessors

Question

Hi,&nbsp;I have a large MS Project file and have several dozen themes within it that all have the same sequence of tasks (and relative dependencies) within them.&nbsp;In the interest of time, I’m therefore copying the set of existing tasks and rewording for each theme.&nbsp;When I do this- project copies the absolute predecessor for each task. &nbsp;I’d like to know if there’s any way of copying/pasting and MS Project pasting the relative predecessor&nbsp;e.g&nbsp;task 1&nbsp;task 2 (predecessor task 1)task 3&nbsp;(predecessor task 2)task 4&nbsp;(predecessor task 3)task 5&nbsp;(predecessor task 4)&nbsp;When I copy the above, the predecessorsremain static/absolute&nbsp;e.g&nbsp;task 6&nbsp;task 7 (predecessor task 1)task 8&nbsp;(predecessor task 2)task 9&nbsp;(predecessor task 3)task 10&nbsp;(predecessor task 4)&nbsp;What I’d like to know is if project can paste relative predecessors&nbsp;e.g&nbsp;task 6&nbsp;task 7 (predecessor task 6)task 8&nbsp;(predecessor task 7)task 9&nbsp;(predecessor task 8)task 10&nbsp;(predecessor task 9)&nbsp;Any help gratefully appreciated!Thanks,

john-project · Answer

Pckipling&nbsp;What version of Project are you using?How exactly are you doing the copy/paste?In this example I created two simple tasks with a standard finish-to-start relationship. I then copied the complete row of the first two tasks and pasted them twice. Links were automatically updated.John

pckipling · Answer

Thanks John- I’m using MS Project 2013Copying the entire row does help actually and seems to update some of the predecessors as I need (I was only copying certain fields and not the whole row).However, I’m still finding that any tasks with a lag or a constraint date retain the original predecessor?

pckipling · Answer

In fact, on further investigation it’s not just where there is a lag or constraint date attached to the task- Project seems to update some predecessors and retain the original predecessor for other tasks and appears random?

plannersplace · Answer

Pckipling&nbsp;When you copy a group of subtasks, any link (predecessor or successor) to tasks or subtasks outside this group, will be retained when you paste this group of subtasks.&nbsp;&nbsp;I get round this problem by removing links to other tasks or groups of subtasks before a copy &amp; paste.

john-project · Answer

Pckipling&nbsp;First of all, rest assured Project does NOT do random stuff.&nbsp;You say you're using Project 2013. Is it fully updated? I believe the last update (Jan 2019) creates version 15.0.5101.1000. If that's not your version then I suggest you update. This won't necessarily have any impact on your issue but you are working with an older version of Project and updating is very important.&nbsp;I tried a sequence of tasks with lag and with a constraint and in both cases the link updated as expected. But rather than attempting to do a hit and miss emulation of what you might have, please post a screen shot of a group of tasks that fail the copy and paste operation.&nbsp;John

Forum Discussion

Copying Relative Predecessors

9 Replies

Resources